EVANSVILLE - Jobs remained the top issue for both Evansville mayoral candidates Wednesday evening as they used the first formal debate of the race to criticize each other and the plans they discussed earlier.

Republican Lloyd Winnecke won a coin toss to be the first to provide a two-minute introduction and used his waning seconds to slam Democrat Rick Davis' plan to use federal grant money to help troubled kids graduate high school and seek training for entry level jobs.

"Unlike my opponent, I do not support the use of dwindling federal block grant money to support programs in our schools," Winnecke said. "That program is naive and frankly, not responsible."

Davis fired back in his introduction by promising to banish the secrecy he said current civic leaders hide behind.

"It's time for open and fair government for the taxpayers of our fine city," Davis said. "My opponent represents the opposite: He's a veteran of closed door government.

"That status quo must go."

The hourlong debate was televised live from the WNIN studio at the Carpenter House. Questions they were asked came from Evansville residents and were vetted by a consortium of local media that organized the debate. Five of the questions were pre-videotaped while others were read by debate moderator Courier & Press Editor Mizell Stewart III.

The first question asked how each candidate would implement policy on city projects with public majority opposition.

Winnecke answered by saying the community currently does not have a voice in government, and he would strive to make that change.

"I can't imagine any public project out there that I would fully support without a vetting of public support," Winnecke said, adding he also would start a citywide listening tour.

Davis answered by saying he would follow the majority opinion in the city. He also pledged to continue the traveling town hall meetings initiated by current Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel, and hold "meet your mayor" sessions in the Civic Center.

Winnecke rebutted Davis promise to follow the majority by recalling a night during the Democratic primary.

"It was a candidates' night at the local firefighter's union hall, and my opponent said he would be in favor of raising taxes for pay increases for public safety employees," Winnecke said. "I don't think that idea was fully vetted."

Davis responded by saying public safety is the No. 1 role of government, and that Winnecke provided an abbreviated recollection of that night.

"What I said was that it would be a decision that would be brought before the voters," Davis said. "It wouldn't be a sneaky, backdoor decision like how the homestead credit was made."

Davis also said he would look for ways to make government more efficient before exploring the idea of raising taxes.

One of the last questions brought up the fate of Roberts Stadium and whether the city would consider selling the facility to a private entity.

Winnecke responded by saying he would be against the idea."That land has to be a part of the fabric of our community," Winnecke said.

Winnecke went on to criticize plans made by Davis to turn the facility into a natatorium that would replace the aging Lloyd Pool.

"We need to vet all these ideas and make sure they do not compete with the Ford Center," Winnecke said.

Davis responded by saying he wants to use money from the Evansville Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau to reinvent Roberts Stadium, and then have a private company run it.

"But I also would like to have the community on board," he said, also saying perhaps the CVB money could be used to stop the need for a series of sump pumps that keep the floor of the stadium from flooding.

In light of President Barack Obama's scheduled presentation tonight on creating jobs, both candidates were asked how they would bring employment to Evansville. Both referred to jobs plans they already released. Davis answered by criticizing the plan released by Winnecke.